Doha, December 24 (QNA) - Qatar Airways announced Thursday that it began the first stage of codeshare cooperation with China Southern Airlines, with the Chinese carrier placing its code on Qatar Airways flights between Guangzhou and Doha. Flights are already available for sale with the first codeshare flights starting from Dec. 27, 2020.

This codeshare agreement is the first step in the strengthening of cooperation between both airlines, since Qatar Airways acquired 5 per cent of China Southern Airlines in December 2018. The codeshare flights will enable China Southern Airlines passengers to book travel on Qatar Airways flights between Guangzhou and Doha and onwards to more than 60 destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The next stage of the codeshare agreement will see the Chinese carrier also place its code on Qatar Airways flights between Beijing and Doha, once the current restrictions for flights in and out of China are lifted.

"We are delighted to begin codeshare cooperation with China Southern Airlines, providing our passengers seamless connectivity via the Best Airport in the Middle East to more than 60 destinations across Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Since Qatar Airways Groups investment in China Southern Airlines in 2018, our two airlines have worked closely to develop opportunities to enhance the customer experience for our millions of passengers travelling via the Best Airport in the Middle East, Hamad International Airport. The beginning of codeshare flights is the natural first step and we look forward to further deepening our close relationship with China Southern Airlines in the future," Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said.

For his part, China Southern Airlines SVP for Corporate and International Relations Wu Guoxiang said that the company has great expectations for the partnership with Qatar Airways. He added that 2020 brought unprecedented challenges to the airline industry, and that cooperation will be an important part of the recovery process. (QNA)